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T O P I C R E V I E W

Robert Pearlman

SpaceX Falcon 9 to launch Thaicom 6 comsat

SpaceX is set to launch the THAICOM 6 communications satellite on top of a Falcon 9 rocket on Monday (Jan. 6).

The THAICOM 6 launch window will open at approximately 5:06 p.m. EST (2206 GMT) from Space Launch Complex (SLC) 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, with additional opportunities Jan. 7-12.

If all proceeds as planned, the THAICOM 6 satellite will be deployed into its geosynchronous transfer orbit approximately 31 minutes after liftoff.

This hybrid Ku- and C-band spacecraft weighs 6,649 pounds (3,016 kg) at launch. This mission is the second Falcon 9 to launch into a geosynchronous transfer orbit, targeting a 295 by 90,000 km orbit at 22.5 degrees inclination.

THAICOM 6, a conventional satellite which will be co-located with THAICOM-5 at 78.5 degrees East ("Hot Bird" position), and carry Ku- and C-band payload.

The satellite's launch will expand THAICOM's business by providing telecommunication and broadcast services to more of its customers in those areas and maintaining THAICOM's "hot bird" position in the region.

The launch will be webcast live beginning about 30 minutes before liftoff.

Eighteen minutes after injection into the parking orbit, the second stage engine relit for just over one minute to carry the THAICOM 6 satellite to its final geostationary transfer orbit. The restart of the Falcon 9 second stage is a requirement for all geostationary transfer missions.

"Today's successful launch of the THAICOM 6 satellite marks the eighth successful flight in a row for Falcon 9," said Gwynne Shotwell, President of SpaceX. "SpaceX greatly appreciates THAICOM's support throughout this campaign and we look forward to a busy launch schedule in 2014."

The THAICOM 6 mission marks Falcon 9's second flight to a geosynchronous transfer orbit and begins a regular cadence of launches planned for SpaceX in 2014. SpaceX has nearly 50 launches on manifest, of which over 60% are for commercial customers.

This launch also marks the third of three qualification flights needed to certify the Falcon 9 to fly missions under the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. Once Falcon 9 is certified, SpaceX will be eligible to compete to launch national security satellites for the U.S. Air Force.